I love my Galaxy Watch 8 Classic after just two weeks with it, and it just dropped to a record low price in the UK (if you act fast) | Tech Radar

Overview

I love my Galaxy Watch 8 Classic after just two weeks with it, and it just dropped to a record low price in the UK (if you act fast)

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Details

I love my Luna Ring Gen 2 smart ring — I wear it every single day to track my sleep, some basic fitness metrics, and simply because I like how the black band looks on my left index finger. Recently, I picked up a Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and boy, is it in a whole different league.

I’ll still wear my smart ring, but the smartwatch is now a key component in my everyday wardrobe too.

Best of all, it’s currently on sale at various stores. For the absolute best deal, Amazon has limited units (we’re talking single digits) of the Classic at £299, but when that sells out, you can pick the Watch 8 Classic up at Argos for £314.3 if you use code RED30 — and then Currys has it for £349 if you’re out of luck elsewhere.

The first draw of this smartwatch is its size. With a 46mm screen, it’s easy to read the watch face at a glance, parse notifications (even type out and send message responses from the watch), and interact with its various health and fitness apps.

Being bigger means the Classic is also a bit bulkier — with its rotating bezel adding a little chunk too, though it is a useful controller — and this size took a little getting used to, especially when I first slept with the Watch 8 Classic on for sleep tracking. Thankfully, it has never felt uncomfortable to wear, and apart from that first night in my first two weeks, I haven’t been bothered by this watch in bed at all.

The design is also excellent. The Classic is distinctively a smartwatch but does work as a, well, classic timepiece, too. I recently went for a suit fitting ahead of my wedding later this year, and the Watch 8 Classic didn't look out of place as I tried on jackets and waistcoats — in fact, it looked at home as part of the ensemble.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic looks great and boasts a suite of useful health and fitness-tracking tools that make it an excellent smartwatch (and a device I can't see myself without even after just two weeks with it). To snag this low price at Argos, remember to use code RED30.

Beyond how it looks, this thing is very useful for health and fitness tracking. I’ve dabbled with the running coach — I’ve completed my assessment and my first training session with more to come — and I love how easy it is to track my exercises. I just push the large side button and swipe through to whatever activity I’m about to do.

If I forget to do this manually, I’ve also found the Watch 8 Classic is great at detecting my activity, such as picking up my evening walks.

As for health, the insights are a little more useful than my smart ring, but the big draw is that accessing the information is much more convenient. I can find it all on my watch — limiting the risk of me getting distracted by my smartphone, which could happen if I wanted to check my smart ring app — or (if my smartphone is on hand) I can see some useful metrics like my sleep score in my Now Brief.

This does require you to have a Samsung phone, and it’s helpful to have this info alongside my calendar and other Now Brief data, making it a great way to prepare me for the day.

Even the battery — which I was worried would feel far too short — is just fine. Based on my usage, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic lasts for well over 24 hours, and I keep it topped up by charging it when I get ready in the morning (taking a shower, getting dressed, and eating breakfast). In this time, it always powers back up to full, so I’m ready to tackle the day.

I do still love my smart ring, but the Watch 8 Classic has really impressed me — and I’m not sure I could ever give up wearing a smartwatch now. The Classic is far more capable than the basic trackers I was used to, and solves a few gripes I’ve had recently with my Luna Ring.

So while it's on sale, I’d seriously consider picking it up. We are expecting new Watch 9 devices a little later this year, so there is some reason to wait, but if you’re keen to nab a Galaxy Watch 8 Classic soon, these sales are excellent.

Follow Tech Radar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

And of course, you can also follow Tech Radar on You Tube and Tik Tok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on Whats App too.

Hamish is a Senior Staff Writer for Tech Radar and you’ll see his name appearing on articles across nearly every topic on the site from smart home deals to speaker reviews to graphics card news and everything in between. He uses his broad range of knowledge to help explain the latest gadgets and if they’re a must-buy or a fad fueled by hype. Though his specialty is writing about everything going on in the world of virtual reality and augmented reality.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

1 This ergonomic office chair's got your back! Sihoo B100 with adaptive lumbar support, a wide headrest, and flip-up armrests is $40 off for Amazon's Big Spring sale

2 The $200 home studio challenge — can I create a cheap recording setup for music and podcasting?

3 Can't decide which coffee to choose? De'Longhi's new espresso machine offers over 50 options grouped by 'mood and style'

4 Razer's Nikke collab finally lets you arm your rifle-wielding waifu with a cat-eared gamer headset

5I’ve tested a ton of open earbuds, but these are the only three models I’d buy

Tech Radar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Key Takeaways

• I love my Galaxy Watch 8 Classic after just two weeks with it, and it just dropped to a record low price in the UK (if you act fast)

• When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission

• I love my Luna Ring Gen 2 smart ring — I wear it every single day to track my sleep, some basic fitness metrics, and simply because I like how the black band looks on my left index finger

• I’ll still wear my smart ring, but the smartwatch is now a key component in my everyday wardrobe too

• Best of all, it’s currently on sale at various stores